The New York Knicks are one of the most historically significant teams in the NBA, boosted by the fact that they play in the largest media market. However, despite their popularity, they have not made the NBA Finals since 1999, and their last title came in 1973.
That’s not for lack of trying. The Knicks have boasted some of the better players of all time, although the franchise’s GOAT remains Patrick Ewing, who gave them 15 seasons, making the All-Star Game in 11 of them.
He still holds the franchise records for points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and win shares, although his time in the Big Apple was cut short, as he demanded a trade.
On September 20, 2000, the Knicks granted his wish, trading him to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team deal.
GettyNEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 2: Washington Bullets Chris Webber (R) reaches for the ball as New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing holds it away during the first half of their NBA game in New York 02 December 1994. Ewing scored no points in the first half but the Knicks led at the half 53-45. (Photo credit should read MARK D. PHILLIPS/AFP via Getty Images)
Why Patrick Ewing Didn’t Retire As a Knick
Drafted first overall in the 1985 NBA Draft, Ewing immediately went to work, making the All-Star Game and winning Rookie of the Year in 1986.
In 1988, he led New York to the playoffs and then made the postseason in his next 13 seasons, the longest streak in franchise history. However, in large part thanks to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Ewing and the Knicks made the Finals only twice, losing to the Houston Rockets in 1994 and the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
In the end, the pressures and expectations of playing in New York reached a boiling point, and Ewing demanded a trade.
“After 15 years of hearing the same thing, rumblings from your teammates or in the media saying that the Knicks are better off without him, or they need to move on from him, after 15 years of hearing that, you just get tired of it,” he explained to The Players’ Tribune in 2020. “So I got tired of hearing it. And I just thought it was, it was best for me to move on. So I went to Seattle.”
In a four-team deal, the Knicks sent Ewing to Seattle for Travis Knight, Glen Rice, Lazaro Borrell, Vernon Maxwell, Luc Longley, Vladimir Stepania, and two first-round draft picks. None of the players the Knicks received ever ended up being All-Stars.
Ewing’s Career Slowed Down After the Trade
Ewing played his age-38 season for the SuperSonics before signing a one-year deal with the Orlando Magic. In his final two seasons, he posted his only years with single-digit points and fewer than eight rebounds per game.
From 1997 to 2000, he missed 88 regular-season games due to lingering lower-body injuries, and as he aged, his recovery time slowed down, and he lost athleticism. In short, the Knicks traded away the worst version of him, although the return was still subpar.
Of the 10 players (including draft picks) that the Knicks received for Ewing, only three ever suited up for New York (Knight, Rice, and Longley) for a total of 226 games.
Ewing made it clear that he was not happy in New York, at least by the end. However, he regrets not finishing out his career where it all started.
“In hindsight, I should have stayed,” he admitted. Most Knicks fans would likely agree.
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